2004 Mazda RX-8 Recalls

This limited regional recall is for vehicles currently registered or first sold in southern Florida, along the Gulf Coast, Puerto Rico, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Guam, and Saipan. Upon deployment the passenger airbag inflator could rupture, increasing the risk of personal injury. Dealers will replace the passenger side air bag inflator to correct this concern. Note: this supersedes recall #14V-344.

This limited regional recall is for vehicles currently registered or first sold in Florida, Puerto Rico, Hawaii and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and equipped with Takata-brand air bag inflators. Upon deployment the driver and/or passenger airbag inflator could rupture, increasing the risk of personal injury. Mazda dealers will replace the affected airbag inflator modules to correct this concern.

Airbags use a chemical reaction contained in an inflator module to create the pressure necessary to inflate the bags when deployment is required. These vehicles are being recalled because the front passenger airbag inflator may produce excessive internal pressure when deployed and as a result, the inflator module could rupture, causing metal fragments to strike vehicle occupants. Dealers will inspect and replace any defective passenger front airbag inflator module found.

Due to improper forging of the lower control arm, cracks may occur in the ball joint socket. In severe driving conditions, the ball joint may separate from the ball joint socket and loss of steering may occur, increasing the risk of a crash. Dealers will inspect and replace the lower control arms as required. This recall is expected to begin on August 30, 2005. The Mazda recall number is 3405G.

Running the engine at high RPM for an excessive length of time can damage several under vehicle components, which could produce a variety of malfunctions. Problems can include an inoperative oxygen sensor, neutral start switch, back up lights, parking brake, malfunctions of the gas gauge, or heat damaged fuel tank. Fuel could leak from a damaged fuel tank, increasing the risk of a fire. Dealers will inspect and replace parts as necessary to correct this concern. The recall began on August 30, 2005. The Mazda recall number is 3305G.

The front passenger seat airbag may be wired incorrectly. In this case, the airbag will not provide adequate protection if the vehicle is involved in a frontal crash. Dealers will install a new wiring harness in the front passenger seat airbag system to correct this concern. This recall began on March 5, 2004. The Mazda recall number is 1604B-B.

On vehicles with a manual transmission, the heat insulator may crack, causing an abnormal noise. Continued vehicle operation can cause the insulator to come off and pose a hazard to other vehicles. Dealers will replace the heat insulator to correct this concern. This recall began during March 2004. The Mazda recall number is 1704B.